THREATENED AND 

ENDANGERED SPECIES

Appendix

C

C. Threatened and Endangered Species
Chicago-St. Louis High-Speed Rail C-1 Tier 1 Final EIS 

Federal and State Listed Threatened and Endangered Animal Species Potentially Occurring within

the Counties Traversed by the Study Corridor

Species 

Scientific and 

Common Names 

Status

County General Habitat 

Type Habitat Description Fed IL 

Mammals

Myotis sodalis  

Indiana bat

E E Statewide IL

Floodplain Forest

Caves

Myotis sodalis hibernates in caves;

maternity sites generally are behind loose

bark of dead or dying trees or in tree

cavities. Forested landscapes are the most

important habitat in agricultural

landscapes. Known roost tree species

include elm, oak, beech, hickory, maple,

ash, sassafras, birch, sycamore, locust,

aspen, cottonwood, pine, and hemlock

(natureserve.org)

*Spermophilus

franklinii

Franklin’s ground

squirrel

‐  T Mclean,

Macoupin

Agricultural (crop,

pasture)

Water (riparian)

This species has a strong affinity for

tallgrass and mid‐grass prairies. It also

uses riparian areas (marsh edges), forest‐

field edges, fields, hedgerows, and

unmowed strips along railroad rights‐of‐

way and roadsides. It generally avoids

shortgrass habitats. Nests are in

underground burrows (natureserve.org).

Birds

Ammodramus

henslowii

Henslow’s sparrow

‐  T Cook,

Grundy

Agricultural (crop,

pasture)

Wetland (forest,

non‐forest)

BREEDING: Open fields and meadows

with grass interspersed with weeds or

shrubby vegetation, especially in damp

or low‐lying areas, adjacent to salt marsh

in some areas. Found in a variety of

habitats that contain tall, dense grass and

herbaceous vegetation. Birds are reported

to have bred consistently in some

undisturbed, protected areas like Goose

Lake Prairie (natureserve.org)

*Refer to Exhibits 5.6‐1 thru 5.6‐3 in Chapter 5 of this Tier 1 DEIS for the locations of the species’ records of

occurrence within the existing and proposed railroad right‐of‐way.

T = Threatened, E = Endangered, C = Candidate
Chicago-St. Louis High-Speed Rail C-2 Tier 1 Final EIS 

Federal and State Listed Threatened and Endangered Animal Species Potentially Occurring within

the Counties Traversed by the Study Corridor (continued)

Species 

Scientific and 

Common Names 

Status

County General Habitat 

Type Habitat Description Fed IL 

Asio flammeus  

short‐eared owl ‐  E Cook, Mclean

Agricultural (crop,

pasture)

Wetland (forest,

non‐forest)

Barren (sand)

In Illinois, prefers wet prairies. Ground

nester raising young in same habitat. 55%

nest in grasslands (prairies), 24% in grain

stubble, and 14% in hayfields. Nearly all

Illinois nest records are from grassland

areas at least 50 hectares in size.

*Bartamia longicauda

upland sandpiper ‐  E

Cook,

Grundy,

Mclean, Will

Agricultural (crop,

pasture)

Urban

(Transportation/co

mmunication,

other)

Reported in open grasslands near

airports, schools, roadsides, and other

areas. Prefers pastures and hayfields.

Associated with open grassland habitats

such as pastures, hayfields and prairie

remnants with an average grass height

less than 30 cm

Botaurus lentiginosus

American bittern

‐  E Grundy Wetland (forest)

BREEDING: Primarily large freshwater

and (less often) brackish marshes,

including lake and pond edges where

cattails, sedges, or bulrushes are plentiful

and marshes where there are patches of

open water and aquatic‐bed

vegetation. Wetlands of 2.5 ha or more

may support nesting; smaller wetlands

may serve as alternate foraging sites.

Nests primarily in inland freshwater

wetlands, sometimes in tidal marshes or

in sparsely vegetated wetlands or dry

grassy uplands. (natureserve.org)

*Refer to Exhibits 5.6‐1 thru 5.6‐3 in Chapter 5 of this Tier 1 DEIS for the locations of the species’ records of

occurrence within the existing and proposed railroad right‐of‐way.

T = Threatened, E = Endangered, C = Candidate
Chicago-St. Louis High-Speed Rail C-3 Tier 1 Final EIS 

Federal and State Listed Threatened and Endangered Animal Species Potentially Occurring within

the Counties Traversed by the Study Corridor (continued)

Species 

Scientific and 

Common Names 

Status

County General Habitat 

Type Habitat Description Fed IL 

Circus cyaneus

northern harrier ‐  E Grundy, Will

Agricultural (crop,

pasture)

Wetland (non‐

forest)

BREEDING: Marshes, meadows,

grasslands, and cultivated fields. Perches

on ground or on stumps or posts. Nests

on the ground, commonly near low

shrubs, in tall weeds or reeds, sometimes

in bog; or on top of low bush above

water, or on knoll of dry ground, or on

higher shrubby ground near water, or on

dry marsh vegetation. During the

breeding season, females often hunt in

areas adjacent to the nest site. Males hunt

farther from the nest where they may

encounter habitat types different than

those located adjacent to nests.

(natureserve.org)

Egretta caerulea

little blue heron ‐  E

Cook,

Madison, St.

Clair

Agricultural (crop,

pasture)

Wetland (forest,

non‐forest)

Water (stream,

lake, reservoir)

Occurs in lakes, ponds, marshes, sloughs,

marshy shores of streams, and coastal

estuaries. In Illinois, usually nests in

association with other herons.  Nests are

placed in stands of young trees, primarily

black willows and cottonwoods forming

dense thickets.

Egretta thula   

snowy egret

‐  E Cook, St.

Clair

Agricultural (crop,

pasture)

Wetland (forest,

non‐forest)

Water (stream,

lake, reservoir)

Usually occurs in loose groups. Roosts

usually communally. Nests in trees or

shrubs or, in some areas, on ground or in

marsh vegetation. Often nests with other

colonial water birds. Nests over water or

ground. Willow species and buttonbush

stands are common nesting places

T = Threatened, E = Endangered, C = Candidate
Chicago-St. Louis High-Speed Rail C-4 Tier 1 Final EIS 

Federal and State Listed Threatened and Endangered Animal Species Potentially Occurring within

the Counties Traversed by the Study Corridor (continued)

Species 

Scientific and 

Common Names 

Status

County General Habitat 

Type Habitat Description Fed IL 

Ixobrychus exilis   

least bittern ‐  T

Cook,

Grundy,

Sangamon,

Will

Wetland (forest,

non forest)

Water (stream,

lake, reservoir,

bay)

Nesting usually occurs among dense, tall

growths of emergent vegetation

(particularly cattail (TYPHA spp.), sedge

(CAREX spp.), bulrush (SCIRPUS spp.),

or common reed (PHRAGMITES

AUSTRALIS)), interspersed with some

woody vegetation and open, fresh water.

More densely or sparsely vegetated

wetlands contained fewer nests, and

interspersion of water and cover may

thus be an important characteristic of

breeding habitats. (natureserve.org)

*Lanius ludovicianus

loggerhead shrike ‐  E

Grundy,

McLean, St.

Clair,

Sangamon,

Will

Agricultural (crop,

pasture)

Urban

(residential)

Forestland

(deciduous,

evergreen)

In the Midwest, this species inhabits

open, agricultural areas interspersed with

grassland habitat.  Most nests found in

Illinois are in osage orange, honey locust,

red cedar and rose.

Nyctanassa violacea

Yellow‐crowned

night heron

‐  E Cook, St.

Clair

Agricultural (crop,

pasture)

Forestland

Wetland

Water

Wetlands for foraging and bottomland

forest for nesting

*Refer to Exhibits 5.6‐1 thru 5.6‐3 in Chapter 5 of this Tier 1 DEIS for the locations of the species’ records of

occurrence within the existing and proposed railroad right‐of‐way.

T = Threatened, E = Endangered, C = Candidate
Chicago-St. Louis High-Speed Rail C-5 Tier 1 Final EIS 

Federal and State Listed Threatened and Endangered Animal Species Potentially Occurring within

the Counties Traversed by the Study Corridor (continued)

Species 

Scientific and 

Common Names 

Status

County General Habitat 

Type Habitat Description Fed IL 

Nycticorax nycticorax

black‐crowned

night heron

‐  E

Cook,

Madison, St.

Clair,

Sangamon,

Will

Wetland (forest,

non forest)

Water (stream,

lake, reservoir,

bay)

Seems adapted to nearly every

conceivable habitat in a wading bird may

exist. Marshes, swamps, wooded streams,

mangroves, shores of lakes, ponds,

lagoons; salt water, brackish, and

freshwater situations. Roosts by day in

mangroves or swampy woodland. Eggs

are laid in a platform nest in groves of

trees near coastal marshes or on marine

islands, swamps, marsh vegetation,

clumps of grass on dry ground, orchards,

and in many other situations. Nests

usually with other heron species.

Rallus elegans

king rail

‐  E Cook,

Grundy, Will

Agricultural (crop,

pasture)

Water (stream,

lake, bay)

Wetland (non‐

forested)

Found in marshes, shrub swamps, ponds,

stream side, roadside ditches, mudflats or

upland fields.

Sterna antillarum  

least tern

E E Madison, St.

Clair

Water (stream,

lake, reservoir)

Barren (beach,

sand)

Interior populations nest mainly on

riverine sandbars or salt flats that become

exposed during periods of low water.

breeding in riverine situations depends

on the presence of sandbars, favorable

water levels during nesting season, and

sufficient food (natureserve.org).

Tyto alba

common barn owl

‐  E St. Clair, Will

Urban

(residential)

Agricultural (crop,

pasture, orchard,

groves, nurseries)

Wetland (non‐

forest)

Occurs in open and partly open areas

often near human habitation such as

residential and agricultural areas, old

fields and woodland edges.

T = Threatened, E = Endangered, C = Candidate
Chicago-St. Louis High-Speed Rail C-6 Tier 1 Final EIS 

Federal and State Listed Threatened and Endangered Animal Species Potentially Occurring within

the Counties Traversed by the Study Corridor (continued)

Species 

Scientific and 

Common Names 

Status

County General Habitat 

Type Habitat Description Fed IL 

Reptiles

Clonophis kirtlandii

Kirtland’s snake ‐  T

Cook,

McLean,

Sangamon,

Will

Wetland (forest)

Water

Urban

Grassland

(meadow)

Occurs in wet meadows, open swamp‐

forests, reservoirs, and occasionally wet,

vacant urban areas.

*Emydoidea

blandingii  

Blanding’s turtle

‐  E Will

Water (stream,

lake, pond)

Wetland (forested,

herbaceous,

riparian, scrub‐

shrub)

Marshes, ponds, swamps, lake shallows,

backwater sloughs, shallow slow‐moving

rivers, protected coves and inlets of large

lakes, oxbows, and pools adjacent to

rivers; waters with soft bottom and

aquatic vegetation.  Sometimes leaves

water and walks overland.  Eggs are laid

usually in sandy soil in upland areas,

usually in warm sunny sites.  In Illinois

peak activity was observed in the turtles

during the morning in May, but

afternoon activities increased during June

and July. (www.naturesurve.org)

Sistrurus catenatus

eastern massasauga

C E

Cook,

Madison,

Will

Wetland (forest,

non‐forest)

Forestland

Occurs in wet prairies, bogs, swamps,

and rarely dry woodlands. May hide in

underground cavities or crayfish holes.

Amphibian

Pseudacris streckeri

illinoensis

Illinois chorus frog

‐  T Madison   

Open sandy areas of river lowlands. Ideal

habitat of this type is available on the

central Illinois sand prairies, adjacent to

the Illinois River.

*Refer to Exhibits 5.6‐1 thru 5.6‐3 in Chapter 5 of this Tier 1 DEIS for the locations of the species’ records of

occurrence within the existing and proposed railroad right‐of‐way.

T = Threatened, E = Endangered, C = Candidate
Chicago-St. Louis High-Speed Rail C-7 Tier 1 Final EIS 

Federal and State Listed Threatened and Endangered Animal Species Potentially Occurring within

the Counties Traversed by the Study Corridor (continued)

Species 

Scientific and 

Common Names 

Status

County General Habitat 

Type Habitat Description Fed IL 

Fish

*Moxostoma

carinatum

river redhorse

‐  T

Grundy,

Livingston,

Will

Water (stream,

lake)

Generally confined to clearer large creeks

and rivers; occasionally in natural lakes

and reservoirs.   Adults generally occupy

moderate to swift water over clean

gravel, boulders, and rubble, or in deep,

fast‐flowing portions of pools. Small

individuals often are in pool shallows

and backwaters.  Spawns in excavated

nest in gravel and gravel‐rubble in shoals

or large runs.  Intolerant of pollution and

heavy siltation (natureserve.org).

Scaphirhynchus albus  

pallid sturgeon

E E Madison, St.

Clair Open Water Rivers

Invertebrates

Aflexia rubranura

red‐veined leaf

hopper

‐  T Grundy, Will Grassland (prairie)

Occurs in large prairie areas that have

populations of prairie dropseed.  Known

to occur near Midewin Tallgrass Prairie,

and it can survive in small patches along

the railroad.

*Cumberlandia

monodonta

spectaclecase

mussel

E    Madison Water (stream) Large rivers in areas sheltered from the

main force of the current.

*Elliptio dilatata

spike

‐  T Livingston Water (stream)

It occurs in medium streams to large

rivers primarily in shoal habitat of

unimpounded streams and rivers but can

occasionally be found in tailwaters of

dams (Tennessee River) in water 4 to 8 m

deep and can even be found in lakes

under some conditions (natureserve.org).

*Refer to Exhibits 5.6‐1 thru 5.6‐3 in Chapter 5 of this Tier 1 DEIS for the locations of the species’ records of

occurrence within the existing and proposed railroad right‐of‐way.

T = Threatened, E = Endangered, C = Candidate
Chicago-St. Louis High-Speed Rail C-8 Tier 1 Final EIS 

Federal and State Listed Threatened and Endangered Animal Species Potentially Occurring within

the Counties Traversed by the Study Corridor (continued)

Species 

Scientific and 

Common Names 

Status

County General Habitat 

Type Habitat Description Fed IL 

*Epioblasma triqueta

snuffbox

E    Will Water (stream) Small to medium creeks in areas with

swift current and some large rivers.

Gammarus

acherondytes

Illinois cave

amphipod

E E St. Clair

Subterranean

Stream

It is endemic to the Illinois Sinkhole Plain

in Monroe and St. Clair.

*Papaipema eryngii

Eryngium stem

borer

‐  E Grundy, Will Grassland (prairie)

Occurs only in large prairie areas that

have abundant populations of rattlesnake

master, its larval host plant.

Plethobasus cyphyus   

sheepnose E E Will Water (stream)

Although it does inhabit medium‐sized

rivers, this mussel generally has been

considered a large‐river species. It may

be associated with riffles and

gravel/cobble substrates but usually has

been reported from deep water (>2 m)

with slight to swift currents and mud,

sand, or gravel bottoms.  Specimens in

larger rivers may occur in deep runs

(natureserve.org).

*Simpsonaias

ambigua

salamander mussel

‐  E Will Water (stream)

Although occasionally found elsewhere,

there is little doubt the preferred habitat

is in sand or silt under large, flat stones in

areas of a swift current in medium to

large rivers and lakes.  Its presence is

presumably linked to the

mudpuppy, Necturus maculosus, and it is

usually rare though can be abundant in

patches. (natureserve.org)

*Refer to Exhibits 5.6‐1 thru 5.6‐3 in Chapter 5 of this Tier 1 DEIS for the locations of the species’ records of

occurrence within the existing and proposed railroad right‐of‐way.

T = Threatened, E = Endangered, C = Candidate
Chicago-St. Louis High-Speed Rail C-9 Tier 1 Final EIS 

Federal and State Listed Threatened and Endangered Animal Species Potentially Occurring within

the Counties Traversed by the Study Corridor (continued)

Species 

Scientific and 

Common Names 

Status

County General Habitat 

Type Habitat Description Fed IL 

Somatochlora hieana  

Hines emerald

dragonfly

E E Cook, Will

Water (stream)

Wetland (non‐

forested)

The Hineʹs emerald dragonfly lives in

calcareous (high in calcium carbonate)

spring‐fed marshes and sedge meadows

overlaying dolomite bedrock. The species

lives in wetlands dominated by grass or

grass‐like plants that are groundwater

fed and shallow. Soil types range from

organic muck to mineral soils like marl. A

nearby forest edge is also important

(Zercher, 2001)

T = Threatened, E = Endangered, C = Candidate
Chicago-St. Louis High-Speed Rail C-10 Tier 1 Final EIS 

Federal and State Listed Threatened and Endangered Plant Species Potentially Occurring within the

Counties Traversed by the Study Corridor

Species 

Scientific and Common 

Names 

Status

County Habitat Description Fed IL 

*Asclepias meadii  

Mead’s milkweed

T E

Will

Meadʹs milkweed is a species of dry‐mesic to mesic

tallgrass prairies a community that is climate and fire‐

adapted and maintained.  The species has also been

recorded from chert glades and sandstone rock‐

ledges.  Plants seem to prefer full sun, occupying

slopes that grade between 0 and 18%. In Illinois

populations occur in tallgrass prairie, dry barrens,

and a single sandstone escarpment (natureserve.org).  

*Astragalus crassicarpus

var. trichocalyx

large ground plum

‐  E Jersey, Macoupin,

Open rocky woodlands and coming out onto the edge

of prairies, pastures, and along roadsides

(natureserve.org).   

Boltonia decurrens  

decurrent false aster

T T Jersey, Madison,

St. Clair

Disturbed alluvial soils.  This plant is found on moist,

sandy, floodplains and prairie wetlands along the

Illinois River. It relies on periodic flooding to scour

away other plants that compete for the same habitat.

Several communities of decurrent false asters have

been found in areas of low‐intensity agriculture.

Biologists believe that the plant may actually benefit

from occasional farming, which eliminates

competitive plant species.  

*Refer to Exhibits 5.6‐1 thru 5.6‐3 in Chapter 5 of this Tier 1 DEIS for the locations of the species’ records of occurrence

within the existing and proposed railroad right‐of‐way.

T = Threatened, E = Endangered, C = Candidate
Chicago-St. Louis High-Speed Rail C-11 Tier 1 Final EIS 

Federal and State Listed Threatened and Endangered Plant Species Potentially Occurring within the

Counties Traversed by the Study Corridor (continued)

Species 

Scientific and Common 

Names

Status

County Habitat Description Fed IL 

*Calopogon oklahomensis

Oklahoma grass pink

orchid

‐  E

Will

Prefers mesic, acidic, sandy to loamy soils; avoids the

wetter habitats preferred by most of the other species

in the genus.  Found in tallgrass and coastal prairies

(including prairie remnants such as those beside

railroads as well as prairie‐haymeadows and other

mowed meadows), savannas (such as longleaf pine

savannas) and wetland savanna borders, moderately

open woodlands (such as post oak‐blackjack oak

woodlands), hillside seepage bogs and edges of bogs;

occasionally in pine plantations, acidic wet barrens,

or claypan savannas.  Appears to thrive under

relatively frequent fires (every 1‐3 years, particularly

dormant‐season burns), late‐season haymeadow

mowing (where most or all of the above‐ground

vegetation is effectively removed once every 1‐2

years, with thatch not left behind), and perhaps light

grazing (natureserve.org).   

Calopogon tuberosus

grass pink orchid ‐  E Cook, Grundy,

Will

A diverse range of open wet situations w/ only

apparent common factors being full sun light &

constant water supply. Prairies, bogs and fens.  

Carex viridula

little green sedge

‐  T Cook

Dune swales, marl flats, disturbed calcareous sites.

Green sedge forms small bunches on wet stream

banks and the edges of ponds (natureserve.org).

*Dalea foliosa   

leafy prairie clover

E E Cook, Will

Mesic dolomite river‐terrace prairies of northeastern

Illinois. Restricted to thin‐soiled (< 4.5 dm), wet or

moist, open dolomite prairies on river terraces in the

northeastern part of the state (natureserve.org).

Known from four locations along the Des Plaines

River.  

*Refer to Exhibits 5.6‐1 thru 5.6‐3 in Chapter 5 of this Tier 1 DEIS for the locations of the species’ records of occurrence

within the existing and proposed railroad right‐of‐way.

T = Threatened, E = Endangered, C = Candidate
Chicago-St. Louis High-Speed Rail C-12 Tier 1 Final EIS 

Federal and State Listed Threatened and Endangered Plant Species Potentially Occurring within the

Counties Traversed by the Study Corridor (continued)

Species 

Scientific and Common 

Names

Status

County Habitat Description Fed IL 

Drosera intermedia

narrow‐leaved sundew ‐  T Cook, Grundy,

Kankakee, Will

Peat bogs and wet sand prairies in Illinois.  Usually in

the wettest parts of bogs and on sandy shores subject

to periodic inundation.  

Hymenopsis herbacea

lakeside daisy

E    Will Dry, rocky prairies.

Isoetes butleri

Quillwort

‐  E Will Seasonably wet spots in thin soil over limestone and

dolomite bedrock in dolomite prairie.  

*Liatris scariosa var.

nieuwlandii

blazing star

‐  T Cook, Macoupin,

Will

Dry sandy prairie remnants, fields, hillsides;

woodlands and barrens with jack pine, oak, aspen;

associated roadsides and railroads.   

*Melanthium virginicum

bunchflower ‐  T Macoupin

Flowering late spring‐‐summer. Bogs, marshes, wet

woods, savannas, meadows, along railroads.   

Mimuartia patula

slender sandwort ‐  T Cook, Grundy,  

Will

Dolomite prairies along the Des Plaines, Fox, and

Illinois rivers. Rocky soils, barrens, and meadows.

Plantanthera leucophaea

prairie white fringed

orchid

T E

Cook, Will, St.

Clair, Jersey,

Sangamon,

Macoupin,

Mclean, Logan,

Madison,

Livingston,

Grundy

From wet to mesic prairie or wetland communities,

including, but not limited to sedge meadow, fen,

marsh, or marsh edge.  It can occupy a very wide

moisture gradient of prairie and wetland vegetation.  

In some cases, the species may also occur along

ditches or roadways where this type of habitat is

present. Peripheral habitat includes sedge‐sphagnum

bog mats around neutral pH kettle lakes, and fallow

agricultural fields. Wet ditches and railroad rights‐of‐

way also serve as refugia.

*Refer to Exhibits 5.6‐1 thru 5.6‐3 in Chapter 5 of this Tier 1 DEIS for the locations of the species’ records of occurrence

within the existing and proposed railroad right‐of‐way.

T = Threatened, E = Endangered, C = Candidate

Silene regia

royal catchfly ‐  E Cook, Macoupin,

Madison

In Illinois, S. regia occurs along roadsides and in

gravel prairies.  A historic population was known

from a loess hill prairie in St. Clair County.  Silene

regia is an inhabitant of prairie, open woodlands and

glades. Preferred substrate is typically well‐drained

soils that are calcareous in nature. (natureserve.org)
Chicago-St. Louis High-Speed Rail C-13 Tier 1 Final EIS 

Federal and State Listed Threatened and Endangered Plant Species Potentially Occurring within the

Counties Traversed by the Study Corridor (continued)

Species 

Scientific and Common 

Names

Status

County Habitat Description Fed IL 

Sisyrinchium atlanticum

eastern blue‐eyed grass ‐  T Kankakee,

Macoupin

Mesic prairie habitat in Illinois.  Historically found in

railroad prairie in Macoupin County.   

*Tomanthera auriculata

ear‐leaved foxglove ‐  T Will, Macoupin

Habitats include mesic black soil prairies, thickets

containing grasses and occasional shrubs, savannas,

woodland borders, abandoned fields, and areas along

railroads (particularly where remnant prairies occur).  

Tradescantia bracteata

prairie spiderwort

‐  T Madison

Dry‐mesic silt and sand prairies in western Illinois.  

Known to have occurred at several locations along

railroad right‐of‐ways.  

*Refer to Exhibits 5.6‐1 thru 5.6‐3 in Chapter 5 of this Tier 1 DEIS for the locations of the species’ records of

occurrence within the existing and proposed railroad right‐of‐way.

T = Threatened, E = Endangered, C = Candidate

Sources:  NatureServe, 2011 and Zercher D., 2001